Question NW1924 to the Minister of Social Development
06 June 2022 - NW1924
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)What is the accumulated amount budgeted across different departments to fight against gender-based violence and femicide at a national level; (2) whether she has found that the specified amount is adequate to fight the so called second pandemic; if not, (a) what is the shortfall in budget and (b) how does her department intend to mitigate the challenge? NW2262E
Reply:
1. I can only account for the Department of Social Development which has set aside a budget of R46 482 000.00 to deal with gender-based violence and femicide related matters in the current financial year. With regard to budget across departments, the Honourable Member is advised to direct the question to the Minister in The Presidency Responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. This budget covers goods and services, compensation and transfers to the three funded national organisations rendering services to victims of violence and crime.
2. Given the unacceptably high levels of gender-based violence and femicide in the country, the allocated budget is not adequate.
3. (a)(b) The short fall cannot be quantified as we have not conducted a costing excise as well as the legislation that mandate the funding of GBVF services. the finalisation of the Victim Support Services Bill, which is currently before Parliament will assist in quantifying financial implication in the delivery of GBVF services. Tackling the scourge of GBVF requires the whole-of-Government and whole-of society approach. In this regard, the Department continues to forge partnerships with various stakeholders to improve and fund the shortfall in the delivery of GBVF services. Currently, the Department has partnerships with the Criminal Assets Recovery Accounts (CARA), European Union and Global Fund.